Montgomery Co. approves $440M 2024 budget; tax rate flat

CONROE, Texas – Montgomery County officials have finalized a $440 million budget for the 2024 fiscal year, a spending plan that increases overall expenditures by 4% while maintaining a property tax rate that remains unchanged from the previous year.

The Commissioners Court officially approved the budget on September 26, clearing the path for the new fiscal year that commenced on October 1. Of the total budget, $315 million is earmarked specifically for general county operations. Despite inflationary pressures and the ongoing challenge of managing the needs of one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, the court maintained a property tax rate of $0.40 per $100 of valuation. County officials project this rate will generate $187 million in tax revenue.

The spending plan accounts for the addition of 24 new personnel positions across various departments to accommodate the county’s rapid population growth. Among the beneficiaries of the increased funding is the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, which saw its budget climb by $10 million. Other departments receiving financial enhancements include the District Attorney’s Office, the County Attorney’s Office, the Probation Department, the Elections Department, and the County Clerk’s Office.

While the budget was ultimately passed, the final vote revealed underlying friction among the county’s leadership. Commissioner James Noack cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns regarding the transparency of the budgeting process. Noack specifically pointed to a lack of public workshops and argued that the court did not provide enough opportunity for department heads to present their budgetary needs directly to the commissioners in an open setting.

Conversely, Commissioner Charlie Riley championed the spending plan, describing it as a balanced and necessary document that addresses the county's core requirements. County Judge Mark Keough defended the integrity of the process, noting that the Commissioners Court dedicated more than 60 hours of deliberative meetings to review and finalize the budget before the vote.

The county’s fiscal position remains stable, according to budget documents. Montgomery County is heading into the new year with a $12 million fund balance, providing a cushion for operational needs. Additionally, officials have set aside $2.5 million specifically for emergency contingencies, an allocation aimed at ensuring the county is prepared for potential natural disasters or unforeseen financial stressors.

For residents interested in reviewing the specific allocations and the final breakdown of department funding, the full budget documents and the record of the September 26 proceedings are available on the official Montgomery County website at mctx.org.

The budget serves as a blueprint for the county’s operations through September 30, 2024. As the region continues to experience significant residential and commercial development, the county court faces the ongoing task of balancing infrastructure demands and public safety requirements against the limitations of current tax revenues.